TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 5:6–22.
Here is the repetition of the ten commandments, in which observe, 1. Though they had been spoken before, and written, yet they are again rehearsed; for precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, and all little enough to keep the word of God in our minds and to preserve and renew the impressions of it. We have need to have the same things often inculcated upon us. See Phi 3:1. 2. There is some variation here from that record (Ex. 20), as there is between the Lord's prayer as it is in Mt. 6 and as it is Lu. 11. In both it is more necessary that we tie ourselves to the things than to the words unalterably. 3. The most considerable variation is in the fourth commandment. In Ex. 20 the reason annexed is taken from the creation of the world; here it is taken from their deliverance out of Egypt, because that was typical of our redemption by Jesus Christ, in remembrance of which the Christian sabbath was to be observed: Remember that thou wast a servant, and God brought thee out, Deu 5:15. And Therefore, (1.) "It is fit that thy servants should be favoured by the sabbath-rest; for thou knowest the heart of a servant, and how welcome one day's ease will be after six days' labour." (2.) "It is fit that thy God should be honoured by the sabbath-work, and the religious services of the day, in consideration of the great things he has done for thee." In the resurrection of Christ we were brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore, by the gospel-edition of the law, we are directed to observe the first day of the week, in remembrance of that glorious work of power and grace. 4. It is added in the fifth commandment, That it may go well with thee, which addition the apostle quotes, and puts first (Eph 6:3), that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long. If there be instances of some that have been very dutiful to their parents, and yet have not lived long upon earth, we may reconcile it to the promise by this explication of it, Whether they live long or no, it shall go well with them, either in this world or in a better. See Ecc 8:12. 5. The last five commandments are connected or coupled together, which they are not in Exodus: Neither shalt thou commit adultery, neither shalt thou steal, etc., which intimate that God's commands are all of a piece: the same authority that obliges us to one obliges us to another; and we must not be partial in the law, but have respect to all God's commandments, for he that offends in one point is guilty of all, Jam 2:10, Jam 2:11. 6. That these commandments were given with a great deal of awful solemnity, Deu 5:22. (1.) They were spoken with a great voice out of the fire, and thick darkness. That was a dispensation of terror, designed to make the gospel of grace the more welcome, and to be a specimen of the terrors of the judgment-day, Psa 50:3, Psa 50:4. (2.) He added no more. What other laws he gave them were sent by Moses, but no more were spoken in the same manner that the ten commandments were. He added no more, therefore we must not add: the law of the Lord is perfect. (3.) He wrote them in two tables of stone, that they might be preserved from corruption, and might be transmitted pure and entire to posterity, for whose use they were intended, as well as for the present generation. These being the heads of the covenant, the chest in which the written tables were deposited was called the ark of the covenant. See Rev 11:19.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 5:18, the seventh commandment in the Decalogue, issues an absolute prohibition against adultery, thereby establishing a foundational principle for the sanctity of marriage and the stability of the family unit within the covenant community of Israel. Reissued by Moses to a new generation on the plains of Moab, this divine injunction profoundly underscores God's demand for exclusive covenant loyalty, moral purity, and unwavering faithfulness in human relationships, mirroring His own holy character and His original design for intimate bonds. It stands as a timeless declaration against sexual infidelity, serving to protect the integrity of the marital covenant as a sacred reflection of God's steadfast relationship with His people.
Context
Literary Context
Deuteronomy 5 serves as a solemn and profound recapitulation of the Ten Commandments, originally delivered by Yahweh at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses, acting as God's mediator, addresses a new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land, re-establishing the covenant and emphasizing its enduring relevance for their future prosperity and spiritual well-being. The commandments are presented not merely as legal statutes but as foundational principles for a society consecrated to God, forming the moral bedrock of their national identity. Positioned as the seventh in the Decalogue, "Neither shalt thou commit adultery" follows commands concerning God's unique identity, the sanctity of His name, the observance of the Sabbath, honoring parents, and the prohibitions against murder and theft. Its strategic placement highlights the critical role of marital fidelity in maintaining social order, personal integrity, and the purity of the community, serving as a vital link between the vertical commands (duties to God) and the horizontal commands (duties to fellow humans) that protect life, property, and reputation.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Israelites stood on the threshold of Canaan, a land inhabited by peoples whose religious and cultural practices were often characterized by widespread sexual immorality, including cultic prostitution, polygamy, and casual infidelity. The command against adultery served as a stark contrast to these surrounding pagan norms, calling Israel to a distinct standard of holiness and moral purity that set them apart as God's chosen people. Marriage in ancient Israel was a foundational institution, not merely a social contract but a sacred covenant established and witnessed by God, crucial for lineage, property inheritance, and the very fabric of societal stability. Adultery was considered a grave offense, a profound violation of covenant, a betrayal of trust, and a direct assault on the family's honor and economic security. The severity of the prescribed punishment for adultery (often death, as seen in Leviticus 20:10) underscores the immense value God placed on marital fidelity and the devastating impact of its violation on the individual, the family, and the entire community.
Key Themes
This commandment contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it champions Covenant Loyalty, not only between spouses but as a profound reflection of Israel's faithfulness to God. Just as marital infidelity breaks a sacred human bond, Israel's spiritual idolatry is frequently depicted as spiritual adultery against Yahweh (e.g., Hosea 1:2). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of Holiness and Purity, calling God's people to reflect His character in all areas of life, including their most intimate relationships. Sexual purity is presented as integral to spiritual integrity and communal well-being, distinguishing Israel from the surrounding pagan nations. Thirdly, it underscores the Sanctity of the Family Unit, recognizing marriage as the bedrock of society and protecting it from destructive forces. The command safeguards the integrity of the home, the legitimacy of children, and the intergenerational transfer of covenant blessings, thereby ensuring the stability and moral health of the nation as a whole—a theme consistently upheld throughout the law and prophetic literature, as seen in Malachi 2:14-16.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew verb נָאַף (H5003, nâʼaph') is a primitive root meaning "to commit adultery." It specifically denotes illicit sexual intercourse involving a married person, thereby violating the sacred marital covenant. This term distinguishes adultery from other forms of sexual immorality by emphasizing the breach of fidelity within an existing, divinely instituted bond. The use of nâʼaph' highlights the profound betrayal of trust, the breaking of sacred vows, and the treachery involved in such an act, underscoring its devastating impact on the marital partner and God's design for marriage. Figuratively, it can also refer to apostasy, depicting Israel's unfaithfulness to God as spiritual adultery.
Verse Breakdown
"Neither shalt thou commit adultery"
This concise, apodictic (absolute and unconditional) negative command directly prohibits sexual relations outside the bounds of a lawful marriage. It is a comprehensive prohibition that applies equally to both married men and married women, as well as to any individual who engages in sexual acts with a married person. The command implicitly affirms the divine institution of marriage as a sacred, exclusive, and lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. By forbidding adultery, God actively protects the integrity of this foundational relationship, safeguarding the trust, intimacy, and commitment that are essential for its flourishing. Furthermore, it implicitly protects the family unit, ensures the legitimacy of children, and upholds the societal order that relies on stable households. The negative formulation ("Neither shalt thou...") emphasizes the absolute and non-negotiable nature of the prohibition, leaving no room for compromise or negotiation regarding this fundamental moral principle.
Literary Devices
The command "Neither shalt thou commit adultery" primarily employs Apodictic Law, which is a direct, unconditional command or prohibition, characteristic of the Decalogue. Unlike casuistic law (which uses "if...then" formulations), apodictic law states an absolute principle, emphasizing its universal and timeless applicability. This command is also a Negative Command, expressed with "Neither shalt thou," which clearly delineates the boundary God sets for His people's behavior. While negative in form, it implicitly affirms a profound positive value: the Sanctity of Marriage and the Covenant Fidelity it represents. The brevity and directness of the phrase contribute to its memorable and authoritative nature, making it a foundational moral principle. Furthermore, it functions as a form of Metonymy or Synecdoche in broader biblical theology, where "adultery" often stands as a representative sin for all forms of sexual immorality and, metaphorically, for Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The prohibition against adultery in Deuteronomy 5:18 is deeply rooted in God's character and His covenant with Israel. It reflects God's own unwavering faithfulness and His profound desire for purity and holiness in His people. Marriage, as a divine institution, is designed to be a living reflection of God's steadfast love and covenant loyalty toward His people. Violating this sacred bond is not merely a social transgression but a grievous sin against God Himself, a profound breach of trust that defiles the individual, the family, and the entire community. The command underscores the intrinsic interconnectedness of personal morality with communal well-being and spiritual integrity, demonstrating that God's law extends to the most intimate aspects of human life, seeking to protect and preserve the sacredness of relationships and uphold the moral order He established.
Reflection and Application
Deuteronomy 5:18 calls believers today to a profound and unwavering commitment to purity, fidelity, and the sanctity of marriage, recognizing it as a divine institution ordained by God Himself. This commandment extends far beyond mere physical acts, penetrating to the depths of the heart and mind, challenging us to cultivate inner purity and diligently guard against lustful thoughts, as Jesus so powerfully taught. It compels us to honor our marital vows with unwavering faithfulness, to respect the marital covenants of others, and to actively protect the integrity of our homes and families from all forms of compromise. In a world where sexual immorality is increasingly normalized and celebrated, this commandment serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's unchanging standards for human relationships, urging us to pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives. We are called to seek God's empowering grace to live in alignment with His perfect will, knowing that true freedom, flourishing, and joy are found in devoted obedience to His loving and life-giving commands.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is adultery considered such a severe sin in the Bible, often punishable by death in the Old Testament?
Adultery is considered a profoundly severe sin in the Bible because it strikes at the very heart of God's design for human relationships and societal order. Firstly, it constitutes a grave violation of a sacred covenant—marriage—which is divinely instituted and intended to be a lifelong, exclusive bond between one man and one woman. This breach of covenant mirrors spiritual idolatry, where Israel's unfaithfulness to God is frequently depicted as spiritual adultery (e.g., Jeremiah 3:8-9). Secondly, adultery deeply harms individuals, shattering trust, inflicting immense emotional pain, and often destroying families. The command protects the legitimacy of children, the stability of the home, and the honor of the family name. Thirdly, it defiles the body, which, for believers, is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-19). The severe Old Testament penalties for adultery underscored the gravity of the offense and its destructive impact on the purity and stability of the entire community, serving as both a deterrent and a clear statement of God's unyielding moral standards.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Deuteronomy 5:18 prohibits the outward act of adultery, Jesus Christ, in His transformative Sermon on the Mount, profoundly deepens and fulfills this commandment by extending its scope to the inner life and the very intentions of the heart. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus declares, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This revolutionary teaching reveals that true obedience to God's law requires not just external conformity to a legal code but an internal transformation of desires, thoughts, and intentions. Christ's fulfillment moves beyond a mere legalistic adherence to the letter of the law, calling for a radical purity of heart and mind, a purity that is only made possible and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ provides complete forgiveness for past sins, including adultery and lust, and through His indwelling Spirit, He empowers believers to live lives of genuine purity and unwavering faithfulness. This enables us to honor the sanctity of marriage and all relationships as sacred reflections of the new covenant established in His blood, where believers are called to be faithful to Him as His cherished Bride (Ephesians 5:25-32). Thus, the prohibition against adultery finds its ultimate meaning, power, and possibility for true obedience in Christ, who enables us to pursue holiness from the inside out, aligning our hearts with God's perfect and beautiful design for love and fidelity.